Methods for improving gut health

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods for improving gut health. In particular, the invention provides methods for improving gut health by improving the digestibility of dietary proteins, decreasing the flow of protein to the lower gastrointestinal tract, and/or decreasing the levels of  Clostridium  bacteria the upper intestinal tract of a subject. The methods comprise administering to the subject a supplement consisting essentially of at least one protease.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/079,541 filed on Apr. 4, 2011 and also claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/447,861 filed onMar. 1, 2011, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to methods for promoting orimproving gut health. In particular, the invention relates to methodsfor reducing the levels of Clostridium bacteria in the uppergastrointestinal tract of a subject.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The gastrointestinal tract not only is involved in digestion andabsorption, but also interacts with the immune system to promote goodhealth. The inside of the intestinal tract is coated with a thin layerof sticky, viscous mucous, and embedded in this mucus layer, aremillions and millions of bacteria and other microbes. When theintestinal bacteria are in balance (i.e., the good bacteria outnumberthe bad bacteria), the gut is said to be healthy. Intestinal problemsarise, however, when the levels of pathogenic bacteria increase or whenbacteria that normally populate the lower intestinal tract are relocatedto the upper intestinal tract. Because of the relationship between goodgut health and the overall health and well being of the organism, meansfor promoting or improving gut health are needed. For example, there isa need for methods for improving gut health by improving thedigestibility of dietary proteins and/or decreasing the levels ofbacteria comprising Clostridium in the upper intestinal tract of anorganism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the various aspects of the present invention is the provision of amethod for decreasing a population of bacteria comprising a Clostridiumspecies in the upper gastrointestinal tract of a subject. The methodcomprises administering to the subject a supplement consistingessentially of at least one protease in combination with a dietcomprising a protein source that is digestible in the uppergastrointestinal tract and fermentable in the lower gastrointestinaltract of the subject, wherein the population of bacteria comprising theClostridium species is reduced the upper gastrointestinal tract of thesubject.

Another aspect of the invention encompasses a method for reducingprotein flow to the lower intestinal tract of a subject. The methodcomprises administering to the subject a supplement consistingessentially of at least one protease in combination with a dietcomprising a protein source that is digestible in the uppergastrointestinal tract and fermentable in the lower gastrointestinaltract of the subject, wherein reduction of protein flow to the lowerintestinal tract decreases a population of bacteria comprising aClostridium species in the upper gastrointestinal tract of the subject.

Other features and iterations of the invention are described in moredetail below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates that supplementation with NSP enzymes improved theperformance index irrespective of coccidiosis challenge. Plotted is theperiod performance index (i.e., period gain x livability)/period feedefficiency) for each group at days 7, 21, and 28. Broilers were fed arye-wheat diet. Treatment groups were: no additive (control), antibiotic(DMP), and NSP enzymes (CSM) (a,b,c; P<0.01).

FIG. 2 shows the reduction of Clostridial counts in the lower intestinaltract of broilers treated with NSP enzymes irrespective of coccidiosischallenge. Plotted is the log₁₀ of Clostridial counts in each group atday 15 and day 22. Broilers were fed a rye-wheat diet. Treatment groupswere: no additive (control)±challenge, antibiotic (DMP)±challenge, andNSP enzymes (CSM)±challenge (a,b; P<0.01).

FIG. 3 presents the performance index on day 22 for each treatmentgroup. Broilers were fed a rye-wheat and feather meal diet. Treatmentgroups were: no additive (control), protease (DP100), NSP enzymes (CSM),and a combination of protease and NSP enzymes (CSM&DP) (a,b,c,d;P<0.01). Analysis: CSM: P=0.001; DP100: P=0.634; CSM*DP100: P=0.428;SEM=1.099.

FIG. 4 illustrates the reduction of digesta viscosity by NSP enzymes inbroilers fed a rye-wheat and feather meal diet. Treatment groups were:no additive (control), protease (DP100), NSP enzymes (CSM), and acombination of protease and NSP enzymes (CSM&DP) (a,b,c; P<0.01).Analysis: CSM: P=0.001; DP100: P=0.071; CSM*DP100: P=0.046; SEM=49.1.

FIG. 5 presents Clostridial counts (log units) on day 15 in the lowerileum of broilers fed a rye-wheat and feather meal diet. Treatmentgroups were: no additive (control), protease (DP100), NSP enzymes (CSM),and a combination of protease and NSP enzymes (CSM&DP) (a,b,c; P<0.01).Analysis: CSM: P=0.001; DP100: P=0.895; CSM*DP100: P=0.038; SEM=1.099.

FIG. 6 shows the performance index effect of broilers fed two differentdiets. The basal diet contained 22% crude protein. The high protein dietcontained 30% crude protein by supplementation with 14% poultryby-product meal (PBM). Treatments were no protease and protease(+DP100).

FIG. 7 presents Clostridial counts (left) and serum levels ofalpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) (right) for each treatment group. Thebasal diet contained 22% crude protein. The high protein diet contained30% crude protein by supplementation with 14% poultry by-product meal(PBM). Treatments were no protease and protease (+DP100) (a,b; P<0.10).

FIG. 8 illustrates that protease reduced mortality due to a spontaneousnecrotic enteritis outbreak. The broilers were fed a standardcorn-soybean diet (control), a corn-soybean diet with 7.5% less crudeprotein (−7.5% CP), or a corn-soybean diet with 10% less CP (−10% CP).Treatments were no protease and protease.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Among the various aspects of the present invention, therefore, is theprovision of a supplement and methods for improving gut health in asubject. The supplement for improving gut health consists essentially ofat least one protease. The methods for improving gut health compriseadministering to the subject the supplement, wherein gut health isimproved by increasing the digestibility of dietary proteins, reducingthe flow of undigested protein to the lower gastrointestinal tract, anddecreasing the level of bacteria comprising Clostridium in the uppergastrointestinal tract of the subject.

(I) Supplement

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a supplement consistingessentially of a protease or a combination of proteases. A protease is aproteolytic enzyme that cleaves peptide bonds between adjacent aminoacid residues in a protein (or peptide) substrate. Since a proteasedigests a protein into smaller and smaller amino acid chains, thesupplement containing the protease(s) may improve the digestibility ofdietary proteins.

As used herein, the terms “digestibility of dietary protein” or “proteindigestibility” refers to the efficiency of absorption of the ingestedprotein, i.e., the amount of ingested protein that is absorbed by thebody. Digestion in the stomach and the proximal small intestine breaksdown the ingested protein into smaller amino acid units. Typically,single amino acids, dipeptides, and tripeptides can be absorbed byintestinal cells, in which further digestion takes place such thatindividual amino acids are absorbed into the blood stream. The dietaryprotein that is not digested into small enough units to be absorbed byupper intestinal cells is passed on through the rest of thegastrointestinal tract. No dietary protein has a digestibility of 100%.Rather the digestibility of various protein sources may range widely.For example, some proteins may be virtually undigestible and otherproteins may be highly digestible (e.g., egg and dairy proteins areabout 97% digestible in humans). The supplement consisting essentiallyof the protease(s), therefore, may improve the digestibility of adietary protein.

Since the supplement consists essentially of at least one protease, thesupplement is devoid of other enzymes such as, e.g., starch hydrolyzingcarbohydrases, non-starch hydrolyzing carbohydrases, lipases, andnucleases. The supplement also is devoid of a quaternary ammoniumcarboxylate inner salt (e.g., betaine or related compounds).Non-protease enzymes and/or quaternary ammonium carboxylate inner saltsdo not affect the digestibility of dietary proteins.

(a) Protease

The identity of the protease (also known as peptidase or proteinase) inthe supplement may vary. The protease may be an endoprotease or anexoprotease. In various embodiments, the protease may be an asparticprotease, an asparagine protease, a cysteine protease, a glutamicprotease, a metalloprotease, a serine protease, a threonine protease, aprotease of unknown catalytic function, or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the protease may be an aspartic (A)protease/peptidase chosen from pepsin A (Homo sapiens), nepenthesin(Nepenthes gracilis), HIV-1 retropepsin (human immunodeficiency virus1), Ty3 transposon peptidase (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Gypsytransposon peptidase (Drosophila melanogaster), Osvaldo retrotransposonpeptidase (Drosophila buzzatii), retrotransposon peptidase(Schizosaccharomyces pombe), retrotransposon 17.6 peptidase (Drosophilamelanogaster), walleye dermal sarcoma virus retropepsin (walleye dermalsarcoma virus), cauliflower mosaic virus-type peptidase (cauliflowermosaic virus), bacilliform virus peptidase (rice tungro bacilliformvirus), thermopsin (Sulfolobus acidocaldarius), signal peptidase II(Escherichia coli), spumapepsin (human spumaretrovirus), Copiatransposon peptidase (Drosophila melanogaster), Ty1 transposon peptidase(Saccharomyces cerevisiae), presenilin 1 (Homo sapiens), impas 1peptidase (Homo sapiens), type 4 prepilin peptidase 1 (Pseudomonasaeruginosa), preflagellin peptidase (Methanococcus maripaludis), gprpeptidase (Bacillus megaterium), omptin (Escherichia coli), HybDpeptidase (Escherichia coli), and skin aspartic protease (Mus musculus).

In another embodiment, the protease may be a cysteine (C)protease/peptidases chosen from papain (Carica papaya), bleomycinhydrolase (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), calpain-2 (Homo sapiens), Tprpeptidase (Porphyromonas gingivalis), poliovirus-type picornain 3C(human poliovirus 1), enterovirus picornain 2A (human poliovirus 1),foot-and-mouth disease virus picornain 3C (foot-and-mouth diseasevirus), cowpea mosaic comovirus-type picornain 3C (cowpea mosaic virus),hepatitis A virus-type picornain 3C (hepatitis A virus), parechoviruspicornain 3C (human parechovirus 1), rice tungro spherical virus-typepeptidase (rice tungro spherical virus), nuclear-inclusion-a peptidase(plum pox virus), adenain (human adenovirus type 2), potato virus Y-typehelper component peptidase (potato virus Y), chestnut blight fungusvirus p29 peptidase (Cryphonectria hypovirus), chestnut blight fungusvirus p48 peptidase (Cryphonectria hypovirus 1, sindbis virus-type nsP2peptidase (Sindbis virus), streptopain (Streptococcus pyogenes),clostripain (Clostridium histolyticum), ubiquitinyl hydrolase-L1 (Homosapiens), legumain (Canavalia ensiformis), caspase-1 (Rattusnorvegicus), metacaspase Yca1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae),pyroglutamyl-peptidase I (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens), murine hepatitiscoronavirus papain-like peptidase 1 (murine hepatitis virus), murinehepatitis coronavirus papain-like peptidase 2 (murine hepatitis virus),hepatitis C virus peptidase 2 (hepatitis C virus), ubiquitin-specificpeptidase 14 (Homo sapiens), tymovirus peptidase (turnip yellow mosaicvirus), carlavirus peptidase (apple stem pitting virus), rabbithemorrhagic disease virus 3C-like peptidase (rabbit hemorrhagic diseasevirus), gingipain R (Porphyromonas gingivalis), gamma-glutamyl hydrolase(Rattus norvegicus), rubella virus peptidase (Rubella virus),foot-and-mouth disease virus L-peptidase (foot-and-mouth disease virus),porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus-type main peptidase(transmissible gastroenteritis virus), porcine reproductive andrespiratory syndrome arterivirus-type cysteine peptidase alpha(lactate-dehydrogenase-elevating virus), equine arteritis virus-typecysteine peptidase (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndromevirus), equine arteritis virus Nsp2-type cysteine peptidase (equinearteritis virus), beet necrotic yellow vein furovirus-type papain-likepeptidase (beet necrotic yellow vein virus), calicivirin (Southamptonvirus), bacteriocin-processing peptidase (Pediococcus acidilactici),dipeptidyl-peptidase VI (Bacillus sphaericus), beet yellows virus-typepapain-like peptidase (beet yellows virus),amidophosphoribosyltransferase precursor (Homo sapiens), acyl-coenzymeA:6-aminopenicillanic acid acyl-transferase precursor (Penicilliumchrysogenum), hedgehog protein (Drosophila melanogaster), staphopain A(Staphylococcus aureus), Ulp1 peptidase (Saccharomyces cerevisiae),separase (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), D-alanyl-glycyl peptidase(Staphylococcus aureus), pestivirus Npro peptidase (classical swinefever virus), autophagin-1 (Homo sapiens), YopJ peptidase (Yersiniapseudotuberculosis), Pfpl peptidase (Pyrococcus furiosus), vacciniavirus I7L processing peptidase (vaccinia virus), YopT peptidase(Yersinia pestis), HopN1 peptidase (Pseudomonas syringae), penicillin Vacylase precursor (Bacillus sphaericus), sortase A (Staphylococcusaureus), sortase B (Staphylococcus aureus), gill-associated virus3C-like peptidase (gill-associated virus), African swine fever virusprocessing peptidase (African swine fever virus), Cezannedeubiquitinylating peptidase (Homo sapiens), otubain-1 (Homo sapiens),IdeS peptidase (Streptococcus pyogenes), CyID protein (Homo sapiens),dipeptidase A (Lactobacillus helveticus), AvrRpt2 peptidase (Pseudomonassyringae), pseudomurein endoisopeptidase Pei (Methanobacterium phagepsiM2), pestivirus NS2 peptidase (bovine viral diarrhea virus 1), AgrBpeptidase (Staphylococcus aureus), UL36 deubiquitinylating peptidase(human herpesvirus 1), UfSP1 peptidase (Mus musculus), ElaD peptidase(Escherichia coli), RTX self-cleaving toxin (Vibrio cholerae),L,D-transpeptidase (Enterococcus faecium), gamma-glutamylcysteinedipeptidyltranspeptidase (Nostoc sp. PCC 7120), prtH peptidase(Bacteroides forsythus), DUBA deubiquitinylating enzyme (Homo sapiens),ataxin-3 (Homo sapiens), nairovirus deuquitinylating peptidase(Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus), OTU1 peptidase (Saccharomycescerevisiae), and acid ceramidase precursor (Homo sapiens).

In still another embodiment, the protease may be a glutamic (G)protease/peptidases such as scytalidoglutamic peptidase (Scytalidiumlignicolum).

In a further embodiment, the protease may be a metallo (M)protease/peptidases chosen from aminopeptidase N (Homo sapiens),angiotensin-converting enzyme peptidase unit 1 (Homo sapiens), thimetoligopeptidase (Rattus norvegicus), oligopeptidase F (Lactococcuslactis), thermolysin (Bacillus thermoproteolyticus), mycolysin(Streptomyces cacaoi), immune inhibitor A (Bacillus thuringiensis),snapalysin (Streptomyces lividans), leishmanolysin (Leishmania major),bacterial collagenase V (Vibrio alginolyticus), bacterial collagenase H(Clostridium histolyticum), matrix metallopeptidase-1 (Homo sapiens),serralysin (Serratia marcescens), fragilysin (Bacteroides fragilis),gametolysin (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii), astacin (Astacus astacus),adamalysin (Crotalus adamanteus), neprilysin (Homo sapiens),carboxypeptidase A1 (Homo sapiens), carboxypeptidase E (Bos taurus),gamma-D-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelate peptidase I (Bacillus sphaericus),zinc D-Ala-D-Ala carboxypeptidase (Streptomyces albus), vanY D-Ala-D-Alacarboxypeptidase (Enterococcus faecium), Ply118 L-Ala-D-Glu peptidase(bacteriophage A118), vanX D-Ala-D-Ala dipeptidase (Enterococcusfaecium), pitrilysin (Escherichia coli), mitochondrial processingpeptidase beta-subunit (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), eupitrilysin (Homosapiens), leucyl aminopeptidase (Bos taurus), aminopeptidase I(Saccharomyces cerevisiae), membrane dipeptidase (Homo sapiens),glutamate carboxypeptidase (Pseudomonas sp.), peptidase T (Escherichiacoli), Xaa-His dipeptidase (Escherichia coli), carboxypeptidase Ss1(Sulfolobus solfataricus), O-sialoglycoprotein peptidase (Mannheimiahaemolytica), beta-lytic metallopeptidase (Achromobacter lyticus),lysostaphin (Staphylococcus simulans), methionyl aminopeptidase 1(Escherichia coli), aminopeptidase P (Escherichia coli), IgA1-specificmetallopeptidase (Streptococcus sanguinis), tentoxilysin (Clostridiumtetani), aminopeptidase S (Streptomyces griseus), glutamatecarboxypeptidase II (Homo sapiens), IAP aminopeptidase (Escherichiacoli), aminopeptidase Ap1 (Vibrio proteolyticus), aminopeptidase T(Thermus aquaticus), hyicolysin (Staphylococcus hyicus),carboxypeptidase Taq (Thermus aquaticus), anthrax lethal factor(Bacillus anthracis), deuterolysin (Aspergillus flavus), fungalysin(Aspergillus fumigatus), isoaspartyl dipeptidase (Escherichia coli),FtsH peptidase (Escherichia coli), glutamyl aminopeptidase (Lactococcuslactis), cytophagalysin (Cytophaga sp.), pappalysin-1 (Homo sapiens),pox virus metallopeptidase (vaccinia virus), Ste24 peptidase(Saccharomyces cerevisiae), HtpX peptidase (Escherichia coli),dipeptidyl-peptidase III (Rattus norvegicus), S2P peptidase (Homosapiens), sporulation factor SpoIVFB (Bacillus subtilis), archaelysin(Methanocaldococcus jannaschii), D-aminopeptidase DppA (Bacillussubtilis), BlaR1 peptidase (Staphylococcus aureus), prtB g.p.(Myxococcus xanthus), enhancin (Lymantria dispar nucleopolyhedrovirus),glycyl aminopeptidase (Sphingomonas capsulata), IgA peptidase(Clostridium ramosum), StcE peptidase (Escherichia coli), Poh1 peptidase(Saccharomyces cerevisiae), JAMM-like protein (Archaeoglobus fulgidus),AMSH deubiquitinating peptidase (Homo sapiens), peptidyl-Aspmetallopeptidase (Pseudomonas aeruginosa), camelysin (Bacillus cereus),murein endopeptidase (Escherichia coli), imelysin (Pseudomonasaeruginosa), Atp23 peptidase (Homo sapiens), tryptophanyl aminopeptidase7-DMATS-type peptidase (Aspergillus fumigatus), ImmA peptidase (Bacillussubtilis), prenyl peptidase 2 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and Wss1peptidase (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

In an alternate embodiment, the protease may be an asparagine (N)protease/peptidase chosen from nodavirus peptidase (flock house virus),tetravirus coat protein (Nudaurelia capensis omega virus),Tsh-associated self-cleaving domain (Escherichia coli), picobirnavirusself-cleaving protein (Human picobirnavirus), YscU protein (Yersiniapseudotuberculosis), reovirus type 1 coat protein (Mammalianorthoreovirus 1), and poliovirus capsid VPO-type self-cleaving protein(human poliovirus 1).

In yet another embodiment, the protease may be a serine (S)protease/peptidase chosen from chymotrypsin A (Bos taurus), glutamylpeptidase I (Staphylococcus aureus), lysyl peptidase (Achromobacterlyticus), astrovirus serine peptidase (human astrovirus), togavirin(Sindbis virus), IgA1-specific serine peptidase (Neisseria gonorrhoeae),flavivirin (yellow fever virus), subtilisin Carlsberg (Bacilluslicheniformis), kexin (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), prolyl oligopeptidase(Sus scrofa), dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (Homo sapiens),acylaminoacyl-peptidase (Homo sapiens), glutamyl peptidase (Arabidopsisthaliana), carboxypeptidase Y (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), D-Ala-D-Alacarboxypeptidase A (Geobacillus stearothermophilus), D-Ala-D-Alacarboxypeptidase B (Streptomyces lividans), D-Ala-D-Ala peptidase C(Escherichia coli), peptidase Clp (Escherichia coli), Xaa-Prodipeptidyl-peptidase (Lactococcus lactis), Lon-A peptidase (Escherichiacoli), cytomegalovirus assemblin (human herpesvirus 5), repressor LexA(Escherichia coli), signal peptidase I (Escherichia coli), signalase 21kDa component (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), TraF peptidase (Escherichiacoli), lysosomal Pro-Xaa carboxypeptidase (Homo sapiens), hepacivirin(hepatitis C virus), potyvirus P1 peptidase (plum pox virus), pestivirusNS3 polyprotein peptidase (bovine viral diarrhea virus 1), equinearteritis virus serine peptidase (equine arteritis virus), prolylaminopeptidase (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), PS-10 peptidase (Streptomyceslividans), sobemovirus peptidase (cocksfoot mottle virus), luteoviruspeptidase (potato leaf roll luteovirus), C-terminal processingpeptidase-1 (Escherichia coli), tricorn core peptidase (Thermoplasmaacidophilum), penicillin G acylase precursor (Escherichia coli),dipeptidyl-peptidase 7 (Porphyromonas gingivalis), HetR peptidase(Anabaena variabilis), signal peptide peptidase A (Escherichia coli),protein C (bacteriophage lambda), infectious pancreatic necrosisbirnavirus Vp4 peptidase (infectious pancreatic necrosis virus),dipeptidase E (Escherichia coli), sedolisin (Pseudomonas sp. 101),rhomboid-1 (Drosophila melanogaster), SpoIVB peptidase (Bacillussubtilis), DmpA aminopeptidase (Ochrobactrum anthropi), nucleoporin 145(Homo sapiens), lactoferrin (Homo sapiens), influenza A PA peptidase(influenza A virus), EGF-like module containing mucin-like hormonereceptor-like 2 (Homo sapiens), Ssy5 peptidase (Saccharomycescerevisiae), murein tetrapeptidase LD-carboxypeptidase (Pseudomonasaeruginosa), PI DD auto-processing protein unit 1 (Homo sapiens),Tellina virus 1 VP4 peptidase (Tellina virus 1), MUC1 self-cleavingmucin (Homo sapiens), dystroglycan (Homo sapiens), and gpO peptidase(Enterobacteria phage P2).

In a further embodiment, the protease may be a threonine (T)protease/peptidase chosen from archaean proteasome, beta component(Thermoplasma acidophilum), HsIV component of Hsi UV peptidase(Escherichia coli), glycosylasparaginase precursor (Homo sapiens),gamma-glutamyltransferase 1 (Escherichia coli), ornithineacetyltransferase precursor (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and polycystin-1(Homo sapiens).

In still another embodiment, the protease may be a protease/peptidase ofunknown catalytic type chosen from sporulation factor SpoIIGA (Bacillussubtilis), prohead peptidase (Enterobacteria phage T4), collagenase(Porphyromonas gingivalis), prohead peptidase (bacteriophage HK97),protein P5 murein endopeptidase (bacteriophage phi-6), Lit peptidase(Escherichia coli), homomultimeric peptidase (Thermotoga maritima), yabGprotein (Bacillus subtilis), microcin-processing peptidase 1(Escherichia coli), and AIDA-I self-cleaving autotransporter protein(Escherichia coli).

In a preferred embodiment, the protease may be a heat stable proteasefrom Bacillus. In another preferred embodiment, the protease may be abroad spectrum protease from Bacillus. In an exemplary embodiment, theprotease may be a heat stable, broad spectrum protease from Bacilluslicheniformis. The strain of B. licheniformis may be PWD-1.

In some embodiments, the protease may be a naturally occurring protease,such that the naturally occurring protease may be isolated from itsnatural source. The isolated naturally occurring protease may beisolated as a biomass, partially purified, or purified to homogeneityfrom its natural source. In other embodiments, the protease may be arecombinant protein, wherein it is expressed in an organism other thanits natural source. The recombinant protease may be essentiallyidentical to the naturally occurring protease. Alternatively, therecombinant protease may be modified relative to the naturally occurringprotease in that a particular amino acid residue(s) may be changed toother amino acid residue, or particular amino acid residues may beinserted or deleted. As above, the recombinant protease may be isolatedas a biomass, partially purified, or completely purified from theorganism that produces the recombinant protease. Methods for makingrecombinant proteins, as well as protein purification methods, are wellknown in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the protease may be withina biomass isolated from Bacillus.

The concentration of the protease or proteases in the supplement mayrange from about 1% to about 99.9% of the total weight of thesupplement. The concentration may vary because the supplement maycontain inert ingredients or excipients. In various embodiments, theconcentration of the protease or proteases in the supplement may beabout 1%, 2%, 3% 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 12%, 14%, 16%, 18%, 20%,22%, 24%, 26%, 28%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%,80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99.9% of the total weight of the supplement.

(b) Inert Ingredients

In some embodiments, the supplement may contain at least one inertingredient or excipient. Suitable excipients include diluents/fillers,binders, dispersion enhancers, lubricants, disintegrants, preservatives,buffering agents, pH modifying agents, flavoring agents, and coloringagents.

In one embodiment, the inert ingredient may be a filler or diluent.Non-limiting examples of suitable fillers or diluents include groundlimestone (i.e., calcium carbonate), dibasic calcium phosphate(anhydrous or dihydrate), calcium phosphate tribasic, calcium silicate,di- or tri-basic calcium sulfate, clays (e.g., attapulgite, bentonite,kaolin, sepiolite), dolomite, gypsum, iron oxide, magnesium carbonate,magnesium oxide, magnesite, mica, perlite, talc, titanium minerals,vermiculite, zeolites, microcrystalline cellulose, cellulosederivatives, cellulose powder, cellulose esters (i.e., acetate andbutyrate mixed esters), ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, starch, modified starches, starch-lactose,starch-calcium carbonate, sodium starch glycolate, glucose, fructose,lactose, lactose monohydrate, sucrose, xylose, lacitol, mannitol,malitol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltodextrin, and trehalose.

In yet another embodiment, the inert excipient may be a dispersionenhancer. Suitable dispersants may include, but are not limited to,starch, alginic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidones, guar gum, kaolin,bentonite, purified wood cellulose, sodium starch glycolate,isoamorphous silicate, and microcrystalline cellulose.

In another embodiment, the excipient maybe a binder. Suitable bindersinclude, but are not limited to, starches, pregelatinized starches,gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, methylcellulose, sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, polyacrylamides,polyvinyloxoazolidone, polyvinylalcohols, C12-C18 fatty acid alcohol,polyethylene glycol, polyols, saccharides, oligosaccharides,polypeptides, oligopeptides, and combinations thereof.

In a further embodiment, the inert ingredient may be a lubricant.Non-limiting examples of suitable lubricants include minerals such astalc or silica; and fats such as vegetable stearin, magnesium stearate,or stearic acid.

In a further embodiment, the excipient may be a disintegrant. Suitableexamples of disintegrants include, but are not limited to, starches suchas corn starch, potato starch, pregelatinized and modified starchesthereof, sweeteners, clays, such as bentonite, microcrystallinecellulose, alginates, sodium starch glycolate, gums such as agar, guar,locust bean, karaya, pecitin, and tragacanth.

In still another embodiment, the inert excipient may be a bufferingagent. Representative examples of suitable buffering agents include, butare not limited to, MOPS, HEPES, TAPS, Bicine, Tricine, TES, PIPES, MES,Tris buffers or buffered saline salts (e.g., Tris buffered saline orphosphate buffered saline). In another embodiment, the inert ingredientmaybe a pH modifier. By way of non-limiting example, the pH modifyingagent may be sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or citric acid.

In another alternate embodiment, the excipient may be a preservative.Non-limiting examples of suitable preservatives include antioxidants,such as alpha-tocopherol or ascorbate.

In yet another embodiment, the inert ingredient may be a flavoringagent. Suitable flavors include, but are not limited, to vegetableflavor, soybean flavor, herbal flavor, fruit flavor, fish flavor, milkflavor, and the like.

In still another embodiment, it may be desirable to include a coloringagent in the supplement. Suitable color additives include, but are notlimited to, food, drug and cosmetic colors (FD&C), drug and cosmeticcolors (D&C), or external drug and cosmetic colors (Ext. D&C).

The weight fraction of the inert excipient(s) in the supplement may beabout 99% or less, about 95% or less, about 90% or less, about 85% orless, about 80% or less, about 75% or less, about 70% or less, about 65%or less, about 60% or less, about 55% or less, about 50% or less, about45% or less, about 40% or less, about 35% or less, about 30% or less,about 25% or less, about 20% or less, about 15% or less, about 10% orless, about 5% or less, about 2%, or about 1% or less of the totalweight of the supplement.

(c) Dosage Forms

The supplement may be formulated in a variety of dosage forms. Thedosage form may be solid or liquid. Typically, the supplement will beprovided as a solid dosage form. Non-limiting examples of suitabledosage forms include dry powders, granules, pellets, grains, tablets,and the like.

(d) Preferred Supplement

In an exemplary embodiment, the supplement consists of a heat stable,broad spectrum protease from Bacillus licheniformis, ground limestone(i.e., calcium carbonate), and natural flavors. The heat stable, broadspectrum protease may be provided as a dried preparation (i.e., abiomass) of Bacillus licheniformis.

(II) Method for Decreasing a Population of Bacteria Comprising aClostridium Species in the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract of a Subject

Another aspect of the invention encompasses a method for decreasing apopulation of bacteria comprising a Clostridium species in the uppergastrointestinal tract of a subject. The method comprises administeringto the subject a supplement consisting essentially of at least oneprotease in combination with a diet comprising a protein source that isdigestible in the upper gastrointestinal tract and fermentable in thelower gastrointestinal tract of the subject, wherein the population ofbacteria comprising a Clostridium species is reduced in the uppergastrointestinal tract of the subject.

Administration of the supplement consisting essentially of theprotease(s) may improve the digestibility of dietary protein in thesubject. Improved protein digestion results may reduce protein flow tothe lower gastrointestinal tract. Reduced flow of dietary protein to thelower gastrointestinal tract may lead to reduced protein fermentation inthe lower gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, Clostridium bacteriathat normally reside in the lower intestinal tract may not increase inpopulation and may not colonize the upper gastrointestinal tract. Uponadministration of the supplement, therefore, the population of bacteriacomprising Clostridium in the upper gastrointestinal tract of thesubject may be reduced.

The term “upper gastrointestinal tract,” as used herein, refers to thestomach and the duodenum of the small intestine. The term “lowergastrointestinal tract,” as used herein, refers to the ileum of thesmall intestine and the cecum and colon of the large intestine.

(a) Administering the Supplement

The method comprises administering to the subject a supplementconsisting of at least one protease. The supplement is detailed above insection (I).

The amount of protease(s) administered to the subject via the supplementcan and will vary. In general, the concentration of the protease(s)administered to the subject may range from about 0.0001% to about 1% byweight of the subject's diet. In preferred embodiments, theconcentration of the protease(s) administered to the subject may rangefrom about 0.005% to about 0.5% by weight of the subject's diet. Invarious embodiments, the concentration of the protease(s) administeredto the subject may be about 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.04%, 0.05%, 0.06%,0.08%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.25%, 0.3%, 0.35%, 0.4%, 0.45%, or 0.5% by weight ofthe subject's diet. In an exemplary embodiment, the concentration of theprotease(s) administered to the subject may be about 0.05% by weight ofthe subject's diet.

The duration of time the supplement is administered to the subject canand will vary. For example, the duration of time the supplement isadministered to the subject may range from several days to severalweeks, several months, or longer. In some embodiments, the supplementmay be administered to the subject for the life of the subject.

(b) Protein Sources

A variety of protein sources may be included in the diet of the subject.A suitable protein source is one that is digestible in the uppergastrointestinal tract of the subject. That is, the protein source isable to be digested and absorbed in the upper intestinal tract of thesubject. Furthermore, a suitable protein source is one that isfermentable in the lower gastrointestinal tract of the subject.Fermentation in the lower gastrointestinal tract refers to the processby which undigested proteins are digested by proteases and peptidasesproduced by bacteria and other microbes (e.g., methanogens) that residein the lower gastrointestinal tract. The resultant digestion productsare taken up by the resident bacteria and microbes, which may lead toincreased populations of the bacteria and microbes in the lowergastrointestinal tract of the subject. Because of reverse peristalsis,bacteria and microbes from the lower gastrointestinal tract may berelocated to the upper gastrointestinal tract.

In general, the protein source may be an animal-derived protein, aplant-derived protein, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments,suitable sources of animal derived protein include blood meal, bonemeal, fish meal, fish processing by-products, meat meal, meat and bonemeal, poultry by-produce meal, and combinations thereof. In oneembodiment, the animal-derived protein is not feather meal. Feather mealmay be undigestible in some subjects (see Example 2). In otherembodiments, suitable sources of plant-derived proteins include grainssuch as corn, oats, soybean, and the like; grain protein concentratessuch as soy protein concentrate; legumes such as peas, lupine, alfalfa;distiller's grains; oilseed meals such as canola meal, cottonseed meal,flaxseed meal, soybean meal, sunflowerseed meal; and combinationsthereof.

The amount of protein included in the diet of the subject can and willvary depending upon, for example, the type of subject and age of thesubject. In general, the protein source may comprise from about 10% toabout 30% by weight of the diet of the subject. In various embodiments,the amount of protein may be about 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, 14%, 15%, 16%,17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, 25%, 26%, 27%, 28%, 29%, or 30%by weight of the diet of the subject.

In general, administration of the supplement consisting essentially ofthe protease(s) improves the digestibility of dietary protein, providedthe protein source is digestible in the upper gastrointestinal tract ofthe subject. The digestibility of dietary protein may be increased byabout 1%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%,40%, 45%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 150%, 200%, or more than 200%.

(c) Bacteria Comprising Clostridium Species

The method of the invention reduces the level of a population ofbacteria comprising a Clostridium species in the upper gastrointestinaltract of the subject. The identity of the Clostridium species can andwill vary. For example, the Clostridium species may be C. botulinum, C.difficile, C. perfringens, C. spiroforme, or C. tetani. In an exemplaryembodiment, the species may be C. perfringens. The biotype of C.perfringens may be A, B, C, D, or E.

In general, the density of Clostridium bacteria in the uppergastrointestinal tract of the subject prior to administration of thesupplement may range from about 10² to about 10⁷cfu/g. In variousembodiments, the density of Clostridium bacteria in the uppergastrointestinal tract of subject prior to administration of thesupplement may range from about 10² to about 10³ cfu/g, from about 10³to about 10⁴ cfu/g, from about 10⁴ to about 10⁵ cfu/g, from about 10⁵ toabout 10⁶ cfu/g, or from about 10⁶ to about 10⁷ cfu/g.

After administration of the supplement, the population of bacteriacomprising the Clostridium species typically is reduced in the uppergastrointestinal tract of the subject. For example, the density of theClostridium species in the upper gastrointestinal tract of the subjectmay be reduced from about 0.5 log units to about 5 log units. In someembodiments, the density of the Clostridium species in the uppergastrointestinal tract may be decreased by about 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3,3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5 log units. In other embodiments, the density of theClostridium species in the upper gastrointestinal tract may be reducedby about 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%,65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99%.

The population of bacteria that is reduced in the upper gastrointestinaltract of the subject by administration of the supplement may furthercomprise species of bacteria other than Clostridia. For example, thepopulation of bacteria may further comprise Bacteriodes spp.,Campylobacter spp., Citrobacter spp., Enterococcus spp., Escherichiaspp., Fusobacterium spp., Hafnia spp., Klebsiella spp., Lactobacillisspp., Listeria spp., and Salmonella spp., Serratia spp., and/orStreptococcus spp.

The density of the non-Clostridium bacteria may be reduced followingadministration of the supplement from about 0.5 log units to about 5 logunits. In various embodiments, the density of the non-Clostridiumbacteria in the upper gastrointestinal tract may be decreased by about0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5 log units. In various otherembodiment, the density of the non-Clostridium bacteria in the uppergastrointestinal tract may be reduced by about 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%,25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%,95%, or 99%.

(d) Subjects

A variety of subjects may be administered the supplement that improvesgut health. Suitable subjects include humans, food animals, companionanimals, research animals, and zoo animals. Non-limiting examples offood animals include poultry (e.g., chickens, ducks, game hens, geese,guinea fowl/hens, quail, and turkeys), beef cattle, milk cows, veal,pigs, goats, sheep, and bison. Suitable companion animals include, butare not limited to, cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, rodents (e.g., mice,rats, hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs), hedgehogs, and ferrets.Examples of research animals include rodents, cats, dogs, rabbits, pigs,and non-human primates. Non-limiting examples of suitable zoo animalsinclude non-human primates, lions, tigers, bears, elephants, giraffes,and the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the subject may be a chicken. The chicken maybe a newborn chick, a starter chick, a grower chicken, a finisherchicken, a broiler chicken, a laying chicken, etc. The chicken may behoused in a cage, grown on litter, or may be free range.

In some embodiments, the subject may have elevated levels of bacteriacomprising Clostridium in the upper gastrointestinal tract relative to acontrol subject. For example, the subject may have an increased level ofbacteria comprising Clostridium because of a stimulated innate immuneresponse, compromised digestive function, compromised gut barrierfunction, or combinations thereof. The control subject may be the samesubject prior to changes in immune function, digestive function, etc. Inother cases, the control subject may be a comparable healthy subject(i.e., same species, same sex, similar age, etc.) that does not havealtered immune function, altered digestive function, etc.

In embodiments in which the subject has elevated levels of bacteria inthe upper gastrointestinal tract, the immune system of the subject maybe stimulated because of an underlying health condition. In one case,the subject may have a viral or parasitic infection. The viral orparasitic infection may be symptomatic (i.e., clinical) or asymptomatic(i.e., sub-clinical). In another case, the health condition may be dueto a disease or disorder (e.g., an autoimmune disease such as diabetes,an inflammatory disorder such as arthritis, a cardiovascular condition,cancer, etc). Alternatively, the immune system of the subject may bestimulated because the subject is exposed to a stressful environment.The stressful environment may be due to exposure to environmentalextremes (e.g., changes in temperature, etc.), crowded conditions, andthe like. In another embodiment, digestive function and/or gut barrierfunction may be compromised because of the diet of the subject (e.g.,the diet may be high (or low) in protein, high (or low) in fat, high (orlow) in cereal grains, high (or low) in starch, etc.) or a change in thediet of the subject. Additionally, the intestinal system of the subjectmay be compromised because of inflammation of the mucosal cells liningthe intestinal tract, a breech of the gut mucosal barrier (i.e., leakytight junctions), altered mucosal cell function, altered mucosal cellstructure, altered goblet cell function, altered intestinal motility,altered intestinal flora, or an imbalance of the intestinal flora.

A subject having elevated levels of bacteria comprising a Clostridiumspecies in the upper gastrointestinal tract may be at risk for anintestinal disorder. Non-limiting examples of intestinal disorderscaused by the growth or overgrowth of a Clostridium species includedysbacteriosis, diarrhea, necrotic enteritis, ulcerative enteritis,enterotoxicosis, and enterotoxemia. The intestinal disorder may bechronic, acute, clinical, or sub-clinical. In preferred embodiments, theintestinal disorder may be necrotic enteritis. Accordingly, afteradministration of the supplement, the subject may be less susceptible tothe intestinal disorders listed above.

After administration of the supplement, the subject may have a reducedlevel of alpha-1-glycoprotein relative to the level ofalpha-1-glycoprotein in that subject prior to administration of thesupplement or relative to the level of alpha-1-glycoprotein in acomparable subject not administered the supplement. Levels ofalpha-1-glycoprotein are typically used an indirect measurement ofinflammation. The levels of alpha-1-glycoprotein may be reduced by about5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, ormore than 70%.

Additionally, the subject administered the supplement may have improvedgut barrier function relative to prior to administration of thesupplement or relative to a comparable subject not administered thesupplement. Improved gut barrier function may be due to the regenerationof mucosal villi or microvilli or the reinstatement of impermeable tightjunctions. Moreover, the subject administered the supplement may haveimproved performance data. For example, the subject administered thesupplement may have increased weight gain, improved feed to gain ratio,improved performance indices, etc. relative to a subject notadministered the supplement.

In still another embodiment, the subject may be in need of treatmentwith the supplement because the subject has an intestinal disorder orhas an increased risk for developing an intestinal disorder, definedabove. As used herein, the terms “treatment” or “treating” refer topreventing the onset or development of an intestinal disorder; slowing,inhibiting, or reversing the progression of am intestinal disorder; orpreventing, inhibiting, or alleviating the symptoms of an intestinaldisorder. Accordingly, the subject in need of treatment may have anincreased population of bacteria comprising Clostridium in the uppergastrointestinal tract relative, a stimulated innate immune response,compromised digestive function, compromised gut barrier function, orcombinations thereof. Administration of the supplement, therefore,generally treats or prevents the intestinal disorder.

(e) Exemplary Embodiment

In an exemplary embodiment, the subject is a chicken and the supplementcomprises a Bacillus biomass containing a broad spectrum protease. Thediet of the chicken may comprise one or more plant-based proteins,optionally cereal grains, and optionally an animal-based protein. Thelevel of protein in the diet of the chicken may range from about 12% toabout 25% by weight of the diet of the chicken. Administration of thesupplement to the chicken generally reduces the level of Clostridiumperfringens in the upper gastrointestinal tract of the chicken, andreduces the susceptibility of the chicken to necrotic enteritis.

(f) Administering Additional Optional Agents

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise administering atleast one additional agent to the subject. Suitable agents that may beadministered to the subject include antibiotic or antimicrobial agents,antioxidants, amino acids, organic acids, vitamins, and minerals. Agentsthat are excluded from being administered to the subject in conjunctionwith the supplement include other enzymes (e.g., starch hydrolyzingcarbohydrases, non-starch hydrolyzing carbohydrases, lipases, nucleases,and lipases) and inner salts of quaternary amine carboxylic acids (e.g.,betaine and similar compounds).

In one embodiment, the additional agent may be an antibiotic agent.Suitable antibiotic agents include aminoglycosides such as amikacin,gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, streptomycin, andtobramycin); a carbecephem such as loracarbef; carbapenems such ascertapenem, imipenem, and meropenem; cephalosporins such as cefadroxilcefazolin, cephalexin, cefaclor, cefamandole, cephalexin, cefoxitin,cefprozil, cefuroxime, cefixime, cefdinir, cefditoren, cefoperazone,cefotaxime, cefpodoxime, ceftazidime, ceftibuten, ceftizoxime, andceftriaxone; macrolides such as azithromycin, clarithromycin,dirithromycin, erythromycin, and troleandomycin; monobactam; penicillinssuch as amoxicillin, ampicillin, carbenicillin, cloxacillin,dicloxacillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, penicillin G, penicillin V,piperacillin, and ticarcillin; polypeptides such as bacitracin,colistin, and polymyxin B; quinolones such as ciprofloxacin, enoxacin,gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, lomefloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin,ofloxacin, and trovafloxacin; sulfonamides such as mafenide,sulfacetamide, sulfamethizole, sulfasalazine, sulfisoxazole, andtrimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; and tetracyclines such as demeclocycline,doxycycline, minocycline, and oxytetracycline). In another embodiment,the additional agent may be an antimicrobial agent such as ketoconazole,amoxicillin, cephalexin, miconazole, econazole, acyclovir, andnelfinavir.

In still another embodiment, the additional agent may be an antioxidant.Non-limiting examples of appropriate antioxidants include ascorbic acidand its derivatives, N-acetylcysteine, benzyl isothiocyanate, berberine,boswellic acid, caffeic acid, canthaxantin, carnosic acid, carotenoids(e.g., alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, asaxanthin,cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin), carnosol, carvacrol, catechins, celery seedextract, chlorogenic acid, citric acid and its derivatives, cloveextract, cocoa flavonols, coffee bean extract, curcumin, devils clawroot, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, diosgenin, diosmetin, edetic acid,ellagic acid, esculetin, esculin, eucalyptus extract, eugenol, ferulicacid, flavonoids (e.g., catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate,epigallocatechin (EGC), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and polyphenolepigallocatechin-3-gallate), flavones (e.g., apigenin, chrysin,luteolin), flavonols (e.g., datiscetin, myricetin, daemfero),flavanones, fraxetin, fumaric acid, gallic acid and its derivatives,gentian extract, glabridin, gluconic acid, glutathione-R, glutathione-O,glycine, grape seed extract, green tea or extract thereof, gum guaiacum,hesperetin, honokiol, 4-hydroxycinammic acid (i.e., p-coumaric acid),hydroxyglutaric acid, N-hydroxysuccinic acid, hydroxytryrosol,isoflavones (e.g., diadzein, glycitein, and genistein), lactic acid andits derivatives, lecithin and its derivatives, licorice extract,ligustilide, alpha-lipoic acid, magnolol, malic acid, maltol,nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), oxalic acid, phosphatidylcholine,phytic acid, pimento extract, pomegranate extract, pycnogenol,quercetin, resveratrol, rice bran extract, rosemary extract, rosmarinicacid, sage extract, sesamol, silymarin, sinapic acid, succinic acid,syringic acid, tartaric acid, thymol, thymoquinone, tocopherols (i.e.,alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-tocopherol), tocotrienols (i.e., alpha-,beta-, gamma- and delta-tocotrienols), tryptanthrin, tyrosol, vanillicacid, tryptamine, tyramine, uric acid, ursolic acid, vitamin K and itsderivatives, vitamin/coenzyme Q10, wheat germ oil, and combinationsthereof.

In yet another embodiment, the additional agent may be an amino acid.The amino acid may be a standard amino acid or derivative thereof (i.e.,one of the 20 amino acids encoded by the genetic code, as well asselenocysteine, methionine-hydroxy analog, and pyrrolysine), anon-standard amino acid or derivative thereof (e.g., 2-aminoisobutyricacid, beta-alanine, carnitine, citrulline, dehydroalanine,gamma-aminobutyric acid, homocysteine, lanthionine, ornitinine, etc.),branched-chain amino acids, or combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the additional agent may be an organic acid orsalt thereof. Suitable organic acids include mono-, di-, ortri-carboxylic acids comprising from two to about twenty-five carbonatoms. Non-limiting examples of suitable carboxylic acids include formicacid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butanoic acid, benzoic acid, lacticacid, malic acid, tartaric acid, mandelic acid, citric acid, fumaricacid, sorbic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, glycolic acid, andglutaric acid.

In an alternate embodiment, the additional agent may be a vitamin.Suitable vitamins include vitamin A (retinol), vitamin B1 (thiamine),vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenicacid), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B7 (biotin), vitamin B9 (folicacid), vitamin B12 (cobalamins), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin D(calciferol), vitamin E (tocopherol), vitamin K (phylloquinone/phytolnaphthoquinone), and combinations thereof.

In a further embodiment, the additional agent may be a mineral.Non-limiting examples of suitable minerals include calcium, chromium,copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus,potassium, selenium, and zinc. Suitable forms of any of the foregoingminerals include soluble mineral salts, slightly soluble mineral salts,insoluble mineral salts, chelated minerals, mineral complexes,non-reactive minerals such as carbonyl minerals, reduced minerals, andcombinations thereof.

(III) Method for Reducing Protein to the Lower Gastrointestinal Tract ofa Subject

A further aspect of the invention encompasses a method for reducingprotein flow to the lower intestinal tract of a subject. The methodcomprises administering to the subject a supplement consistingessentially of at least one protease in combination with a dietcomprising a protein source that is digestible in the uppergastrointestinal tract and fermentable in the lower gastrointestinaltract of the subject, wherein reduction of protein flow to the lowergastrointestinal tract decrease a population of bacteria comprising aClostridium species in the upper gastrointestinal tract of the subject.

The supplement consisting essentially of the protease(s) is describedabove in section (I). Administration of the supplement, protein sources,bacterial species, and subjects are detail above in section (II).

EXAMPLES

The following examples are included to demonstrate various embodimentsof the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the artthat the techniques disclosed in the examples represent techniquesdiscovered by the inventors to function well in the practice of theinvention. Those of skill in the art should, however, in light of thepresent disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in thespecific embodiments that are disclosed and still obtain a like orsimilar result without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, therefore all matter set forth is to be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Examples 1-4

Experimental models for producing NE generally have drawn from fieldexperience linking its occurrence to coccidiosis challenge, dietscontaining a high content of poorly digestible non-starchpolysaccharides (NSP) found in cereal grains, and diets containingfishmeal and animal protein. Models for inducing NE in chickensgenerally include a multiday challenge with actively replicating C.perfringens (Cp). The following examples were designed to exclude Cpchallenge so that factors that trigger the growth of Cp, which arealready present in the hindgut of day old chicks, could be analyzed.Thus, by studying subclinical enteritis, it may be possible to elucidatefactors that can tip the balance of the relationship between microbiotaand host to either positively or negatively impact overall gut health.

Example 1 Effect of NSP Enzymes on Gut Health in Broilers Fed aRye-Wheat Diet

The objective of the following example was to study the effects ofseveral feed additive treatments to improve gut health in chickens fed adiet containing rye and wheat as a cereal source and exposed to acoccidiosis challenge.

The diet was a 22% crude protein (CP), 1.21%/1.07% total/digestiblelysine mash diet containing 33% rye, 25% wheat, and 31% soybean meal.The feed additives were none (control), an antibiotic (bacitracinmethylene disalicylate (BMD); 60 ppm) and an NSP enzyme mixturecontaining xylanase, glucanase, and glycosidase (sold under thetradename CIBENZA™ CSM by Novus International, Inc.; 500 mg/kg). Half ofeach group was challenged (on day 0) with cycling Eimeria as a 3×overdose of a 3-species live oocyst vaccine (available under ADVENT®from Viridus Animal Health, LLC). Body weights were taken on days 14,21, and 28; Cp counts were taken on days 14 and 21; digesta viscositywas measured on day 28; and intestinal morphology was visualized on days15 and 22.

Although the overdose of coccidiosis in this high viscosity dietresulted in a 4-5% reduction (P<0.01) in the efficiency of gain, therewere no interactions with any of the feed additive effects. Therefore,the results are presented as main effects averaged across coccidiosischallenge. Addition of feed additives improved the 28 day PerformanceIndex [(period gain×period livability)/period feed efficiency; PI] from145 for control to 188 and 284 for the antibiotic and NSP enzymes,respectively (FIG. 1; P<0.01). The PI improvement was consistentthroughout the trial (i.e., from days 14-28) for the NSP enzymes and wasalso associated with a significant reduction in digesta viscosity(P<0.01). In contrast, the antibiotic improved PI only at day 28 and hadno effect on digesta viscosity. The NSP enzymes were also associatedwith a 1.5 to 2.5 log unit reduction in cultured Cp from the hindgut andlower ileum (FIG. 2; P<0.01), irrespective of challenge. The antibioticdid not have a significant effect on Cp number, however. Overalllivability for the trial was in excess of 95%; there were notreatment-related differences and no Clostridium-related deaths.

Intestinal morphology at days 15 and 22 of the study was used to assessintestinal health with respect to the various feed additive treatments.Overdose of coccidiosis vaccine affected intestinal morphologynegatively, showing significantly reduced mucosa development, reducedvillus height, and higher (poorer) crypt/villus ratios in the duodenumand mid-small intestine at both days relative to non-challengedcontrols. These negative effects, which are consistent with localinflammatory responses, were more pronounced in the mid-small intestinefor challenged birds in the absence of NSP enzymes on day 15, however.Ileal morphology was not significantly affected at either day by anyadditive or coccidial challenge. Addition of NSP enzymes improvedintestinal (duodenum and mid-small intestine) morphology as representedby reduced crypt/villus ratio, indicating that at least a portion of theimproved performance was related to improved gut health and reduceddemands on the crypt stem cell proliferation.

These results indicate that subjecting broilers to this challenge ofdietary NSP-containing ingredients created intestinal inflammation andstimulated Cp growth in the lower intestinal tract. Moreover, additionof NSP enzymes improved performance, mitigated intestinal inflammation,and reduced Cp overgrowth.

Example 2 Effect of Enzymes on Gut Health in Broilers Fed a DietContaining Rye-Wheat as the Cereal Source and Feather Meal as theProtein Source

In the following example, the diet was modified to assess the impact ofan animal protein source that is less well digested than soybean mealwhen fed from 1 to 21 days of age. The diet was 23.5% CP, 1.38%/1.21%total/digestible lysine mash diet containing 38% rye, 25% wheat, 20%soybean meal, and 7% feather meal. The birds were challenged on day 0with a 3× overdose of the live oocyst coccidiosis vaccine essentially asdetailed above in Example 1. The feed additive treatments were none(control), NSP enzymes (see Example 1), and a protease (i.e., CIBENZATMDP100, which is a dried preparation of B. licheniformis comprising aheat stable protease; 500 mg/kg). Body weights were taken on days 14,21, and 28; Cp counts were taken on day 15; digesta viscosity wasmeasured on day 21, and intestinal morphology was assessed on day 8.

The performance index (PI) was improved by addition of the NSP enzymesand modestly improved by the protease (FIG. 3; P<0.01). The combinationof the two enzyme additives did not result in a further PI improvement.Digestive viscosity was reduced most by the NSP enzymes (FIG. 4;P<0.01), and Cp numbers in the lower ileum were reduced by 1.5-2 logunits by the NSP enzymes (FIG. 5; P<0.01).

In summary, while the addition of the NSP enzymes to this high feathermeal diet reduced ileal concentrations of Cp, there was no evidence thataddition of the protease to this diet had any similar inhibitory impacton Cp growth. It seems likely that feather meal is not digestible in theupper intestinal tract and addition of the protease did not increase itsdigestibility (which is evidence by the high digesta viscosity in thepresence of the protease).

Example 3 Effect of Protease on Gut Health in Broilers Fed a Rye-WheatDiet and an Optional Animal Protein Source

In the following example, birds were fed one of two different diets. Ondiet contained a normal protein level and no animal protein; it wasformulated to 22% CP and 1.38%/1.21% total/digestible lysine andcontained 20% rye, 25% wheat, 32% soybean meal, and 13% corn. The seconddiet contained 14% poultry by-product meal (PBM) and was formulated toprovide an excess of CP (30%) and total/digestible lysine of 1.65%/1.38%(the +PBM diet also contained 20% rye, 25% wheat, 32% soybean meal, and5% corn). The diets of half of each group were supplemented with theprotease (essentially as detailed above in Example 2). All of the birdswere challenged with a 3× overdose of the live oocyst coccidiosisvaccine essentially as detailed above in Example 1, except that thechallenge was received on day 7 of the 28 day trial. Body weights wererecorded on days 14, 21, and 21; and Cp counts were taken on day 15.

The 28-day results indicated a reduction in PI with the high protein+PBMdiet. The addition of the protease to this high protein diet, however,maintained PI at a level comparable to that of the normal protein diet(FIG. 6). While these results were not significant, they aredirectionally consistent with the notion that excess protein in thehindgut facilitates bacterial overgrowth and, consequently, a negativeinfluence on performance. Ileal concentrations of Cp were increasedapproximately 2 log units in birds with the high protein PBM diet (FIG.7; P<0.01). Addition of the protease to the high protein+PBM dietresulted in a 2 log unit reduction in Cp levels that were similar to thenormal protein diet (FIG. 7). The acute phase protein, alpha1-acidglycoprotein (AGP), was measured in the serum on day 15 as an indicatorof intestinal barrier function. Addition of the protease to either dietresulted in reductions of serum AGP levels (FIG. 7; P<0.1) regardless ofdietary protein level. The protease, therefore, improved intestinalbarrier function.

These results suggest that minimizing the flow of digestible protein tothe hindgut in the face of subclinical enteritis reduced Cp levels inthe gut. Reducing the flow of digestible protein could be accomplishedby reducing the intake of dietary protein or by supplementing the dietwith a protease. The protease increases digestibility of the dietaryprotein in the upper intestinal tract and, as a consequence, minimizesprotein flow to the hindgut.

Example 4 Effect of Protease on Performance of Broilers Fed aCorn-Soybean Meal Diet with Different Levels of Protein

The following example was designed to test whether the dietary proteasecould be used to replace some of the protein in a standard diet.Standard starter (0-14 days), grower (14-28 days), and finisher (28-42days) diets were formulated to reflect industry standards. The standarddiets were modified to contain 7.5% less CP and amino acids (the −7.5%CP diet) or 10% less CP and amino acids (the −10% CP diet) by reducingthe amount of soybean meal and increasing the amount of cornaccordingly. One half of each diet group was supplemented with theprotease (essentially as described in Example 2). This example differedfrom the previous three examples in that no coccidoisis challenge wasgiven.

As expected, reducing the amount of protein in the diet had negativeeffects on body weight, PI, etc. relative to those receiving thestandard diet. The addition of the protease increased body weight and PIof the animals receiving the reduced protein diets, but never to controllevels (data not shown). During days 14-28 of the study, however, therewas an outbreak of necrotic enteritis. It was discovered that the groupsreceiving the supplemental protease had reduced mortality, irrespectiveof diet. As shown in FIG. 8, protease significantly reduced mortality byabout 50% in each group (P<0.02). The reduction of mortality wasparticularly striking in the groups fed the reduced protein diets.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for improving feed efficiency, themethod comprising modifying a standard diet to contain less protein, andsupplementing the modified diet with at least one protease.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the standard diet is modified by replacing amass of a protein supplement with an equivalent mass of a grain.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the modified diet contains up to 10% lessprotein than the standard diet.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theprotease is chosen from an aspartic protease, asparagine protease,cysteine protease, glutamic protease, metalloprotease, serine protease,threonine protease, or a combination thereof.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the concentration of the protease is from about 0.0001% to about1.0% by weight of the diet.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theprotease comprises a biomass isolated from Bacillus.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the concentration of the protease is from about 0.005%to about 0.5% by weight of the diet.
 8. The method of claim 1, whereinthe modified diet contains 7.5% or 10% less protein than the standarddiet, the protease comprises a biomass isolated from Bacillus, and theconcentration of the protease is about 0.05% by weight of the diet.
 9. Amethod for improving feed efficiency, the method comprisingadministering a reduced-protein diet to a subject in combination with asupplement comprising at least one protease.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the reduced-protein diet contains up to 10% or less protein thata standard diet.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the standard dietis modified by replacing a mass of a protein supplement with anequivalent mass of a grain.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein theprotease is chosen from an aspartic protease, asparagine protease,cysteine protease, glutamic protease, metalloprotease, serine protease,threonine protease, or a combination thereof.
 13. The method of claim12, wherein the concentration of the protease is from about 0.0001% toabout 1.0% by weight of the diet.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein theprotease comprises a biomass isolated from Bacillus.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the concentration of the protease is from about 0.005%to about 0.5% by weight of the diet.
 16. The method of claim 9, whereinthe subject is chosen from a food animal, a companion animal, a researchanimal, or a zoo animal.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the foodanimal is chosen from poultry, swine, lamb, or beef.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the poultry is chosen from chicken, duck, game hen,goose, guinea fowl, quail, or turkey.
 19. The method of claim 9, whereinthe reduced-protein diet has 7.5% or 10% less protein than the subject'sstandard diet, the protease comprises a biomass isolated from Bacillus,and the concentration of the protease is about 0.05% by weight of thediet.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the subject has an increasedweight gain and an increased performance index relative to a subjectadministered only the reduced-protein diet.
 21. The method of claim 19,wherein the subject is poultry.